Air diffuser



A. L. RADCLIFF AIR DIFFUSER Jan. 3, 1961 Filed Jan. 8, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 0 f6 7 go x v 26 6 o .I// ::.,:-J"" I, .l

INVENTOR. ALAN 1.. PADCL/FF ATTo 2N5 Y5 Jan. 3, 1961 A. L. RADCLIFF 2,966,837

AIR DIFFUSER Filed Jan. 8, 1959 2 SheetsSheet 2 IN VEN TOR. 41 AN 4 RADC'L F F United States Patent 2,966,837 AIR DIFFUSER Alan L. Radclifi, 2101 Calais Drive, Miami Beach, Fla. Filed Jan. 8, 1959, Ser. No. 785,622

8 Claims. (Cl. 9840) This invention relates to an air diffuser and refers more particularly to a ceiling diffuser made of plastic material for use in heating and air conditioning.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an unbreakable plastic ceiling diffuser of modern and eflicient so-called step down design which is provided with a wide anti-smudge ring.

Another object is the provision of a plastic ceiling diffuser which is non-corrosive and flame-retardant, which is most durable in use and which can be manufactured at comparatively low cost.

Yet another object is the provision of a diffuser which can withstand extreme temperatures under actual heating and air conditioning usage and which is provided with a most effective self-sealing seat, thereby eliminating any possibility of leaks and providing an air-tight closure at the duct without the use of any gaskets.

Still another object is the provision of a ceiling diffuser which is non-corrosive and distortion-free under actual heating and cooling usage, which will not support combustion and which can be molded in the form of a rigid one-piece construction with a die-cut key-way forchain or rod damper control.

A still further object is the provision of a plastic ceiling dilfuser of such design that smooth air-flow patterns and high capacity air-distribution are assured.

Yet a further object is the provision of a plastic ceiling dilfuser which is easy to install since it fits standard rings or damper flanges and which will not dent, chip or discolor in installation or use.

A still further object is the provision of a ceiling diffuser of light weight which can be easily handled and installed and which is of most strong and permanent structure. 7

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In accomplishing the objects of the present invention, it was found desirable to provide a ceiling difiuser of a plastic material. Flame-retardant, high density rigid polyethylene known under the registered trademark Grex was found to be most suitable for that purpose. However, any other suitable type of plastic material may be also used. The diffuser of the present invention comprises a central member having a round bottom portion provided with a key-way for chain or rod damper control. It also includes an outer member which encloses the central member and which is provided with a self-sealing triple air seal in the form of grooves and ribs which assure an air-tight closure at the duct. The connection between the central member and the outer member takes place by means of ribs or gussets which also define the air passages of the diffuser. Any suitable number of intermediate members may be arranged between the central member and the outer member, such intermediate members being supported by gussets and providing further air passages, depending on the selected size of the diffuser. The diffuser is provided with suitably shaped screw holes for cad-plated screws.

- The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing, by way of example, preferred embodiments of the inventive idea.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ceiling diffuser constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of the diffuser shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of a diffuser of a larger size.

Figure 5 is a section along the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section along the line 66 of Figure 4.

The diffuser shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings comprises a central member 10 having a disk-like bottom portion 11. The bottom portion has a central opening or key-way 12 for chain or rod damper control (not shown). The opening 12 is enclosed by an annular rib 13. The bottom portion 11 is enclosed on all sides by outwardly flaring walls 14. As best shown in Figure 3, the walls 14 are essentially frusto-conical in shape, but are of a somewhat convex shape in cross-section so as to facilitate the air-flow. The walls 14 terminate in a round edge 15 which is concentrical with the bottom portion 11 and extends at a distance therefrom in the direction of the central axis of the bottom portion 11 so as to provide a step down design.

The walls 14 are connected with ribs or gussets 16. In the construction shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, there are three such gussets 16, although obviously the number of such gussets may be varied depending upon the size of the diffuser. Each gusset 16 consists of an elongated member which may be hollow if desired and which extends radially from the bottom portion in a plane passing through the central axis of the bottom member 11. The outer edge 17 of each gusset 16 is concave in form and merges with a flat portion 18 constituting a part of the outer member 19.

As best shown in Figure 3, the outer member 19 includes a concave wall portion 20 extending inwardly toward the bottom portion 11, as well as a convex wall portion 21 which extends outwardly. The two wall portions 20 and 21 join each other in an outer upper edge 22 which is concentrical with the bottom portion 11. The substantially flat portion 18 which supports the gussets 16 constitutes a continuation of the concave wall portion 20. The convex wall portion 21 terminates in an outer edge portion 23 which surrounds the wall portion 19.

The self-sealing air lock which effectively prevents the passage of air, is composed essentially of a hollow rib 24 constituting a part of the edge portion 23 and of two concentrical grooves 25 and 26 which are formed upon the flat intermediate portion 18. The bottoms of the grooves 25 and 26 and the edges of the rib 24 may be located upon the same plane which is somewhat spaced from the inner surface of the bottom portion 11 so as to provide a resilient air-tight engagement with the surface supporting the diffuser. On the other hand, in diffusers of larger size and more rigid structure, the grooves 25 and 26 and the edges of the rib 24 may be in the same plane as the lower surface of the bottom member 11,

In the construction illustrated, the outer member 19 is provided with three round holes 27 for the insertion of cad-plated screws (not shown). Each hole 27 is surrounded by a separate annular rib 28. Furthermore in the example illustrated, the holes 27 are located between the gussets 16 at equal circumferential distances from two adjacent gussets.

As already stated, the entire diffuser is molded in the form of a single round body 29 from a plastic material, preferably from flame-retardant, high density rigid polyethylene.

The installation and use of the difluser 29 are apparent from the above description. The diifuser is attached in the required position upon a ceiling by screws extending through screw holes 27 and the central opening 12 forms a key-way for chain or rod damper control. Air flows through passages 30 which are defined by the gussets 16 and which are located between the central member 10 and the outer member 19. As already stated, the grooves 25 and 26 and the rib 24 constitute a most effective air lock.

The described difi'user is most easy and convenient to install due to its light weight and yet is most durable in structure and effective in operation.

A difiuser consisting of a round body 31 of a substantially larger size is illustrated in Figures 4, 5, and 6 of the drawings. The diffuser comprises a central member 32 which is substantially similar in construction to that previously described and which includes a round bottom portion 33 having an opening 34 and annular rib 35 as well as flared walls 36, best shown in Figure and terminating in an upper round edge 36.

The outer member 37 is also similar to the one previously described, and has a concave wall portion 38 and a convex wall portion 39 terminating in a rib 40. An outer portion 41 encloses the wall portion 3 and is provided with an annular rib 42 which in this construction extends in the same plane as the lower surface of the bottom portion 33. Furthermore, for the purpose of strengthening the structure, the wall portions 38 and 39 may be joined by a solid inner rib 43. A flat portion 44 extends inwardly from the wall portion 38 and is provided with air lock grooves 45 and 46.

However, in this construction, a further intermediate member 47 is provided between the inner member 33 and the outer member 37. This intermediate member 47 has an outwardly flaring slightly curved surface 48 which carries gussets 49 supporting the central member 32. The gussets 49 define air passages 50 located be tween the central member 32 and the intermediate member 47.

Another set of gussets 51 is carried by the flat portion 44 and supports the intermediate member 47. The gussets 41 define additional air passages 52 located between the intermediate member '47 and the outer member 37.

The flat portion 44 carries screw holes 53 each of which is surrounded by an annular rib 54. In this construction, the screw holes 53 are located flush with gussets 55, which are somewhat .shorter than the gussets 51 and are located between the gussets 51.

It is apparent that the installation and operation of this diituser are the same as those of the one previously described. This diffuser is particularly adapted for large heating and air conditioning installation and has the advantage of combining a certain amount of elasticity with a most permanent and durable structure.

It is apparent that the examples set forth above are capable of many variations and modifications within the scope of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are to be included within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An air diffuser, comprising a round bodyhaving a central member comprising a disk-like wall member, and an outwardly flaring wall extending forwardly of and enclosing said disk-like member and having an upper round edge; a plurality of elongated rib-shaped gussets engaging said upper edge and extending outwardly radially from said walls in planes extending through said central axis, an outer member enclosing said central member, and having an upper round edge located rearwardly of the first-mentioned upper round edge, a concave wall portion extending inwardly from the secondmentioned upper round edge, a convex wall portion extending outwardly from the second-mentioned upper round edge and an annularly ribbed portion connected with said convex wall portion and having outer edges; and an annular member connecting the bottoms of said gussets with said concave wall portion, said gussets and said annular member defining air passages between said central member and said outer member, said round body consisting of a plastic material.

2. An air diffuser in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plastic material is a polyethylene.

3. An air diffuser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the annular member connecting said gussets with said concave wall portion comprise a substantially flat annular portion having two concentrical annular grooves.

4- An air difiuser in accordance with claim 1, wherein the annular member connecting said gussets with said concave wall portion comprise a substantially flat annular portion having spaced concentrically disposed round screw holes formed therein, and a separate round rib enclosing each screw hole.

5. An air diffuser in accordance with claim 4, wherein said screw holes are located in radial alinement with said gussets.

6. An air diifuser in accordance with claim 4, wherein each screw hole is circumferentially equally spaced from two adjacent gussets.

7. An air diffuser, comprising a resilient round body having a central member comprising a disk-like wall member having a substantially central opening formed therein and an annular rib enclosing said opening, and an outwardly flaring wall extending forwardly of and enclosing said disk-like member and having an upper round edge; a plurality of elongated rib-shaped gussets engaging said upper edge and extending outwardly radially from said walls in planes extending through said central axis, an outer member enclosing said central member and having an upper round edge located rearwardly of the first-mentioned upper round edge, a concave wall portion extending inwardly from the second-mentioned upper round edge, a convex wall portion extending outwardly from the second-mentioned upper round edge, a substantially flat annular portion connected with said concave wall portion and carrying said gussets, said gussets and said annular portion defining air passages between said central member and said outer member, said substantially flat annular portion having two concentrical annular grooves, said substantially flat annular portion further having spaced concentrically disposed round screw holes formed therein, and a separate round rib enclosing each screw hole, and an annularly ribbed portion connected with said convex wall portion and having edges extending substantially in the same plane as that of the bottoms of said grooves, the last mentioned plane being inwardly spaced from the plane of said bottom portion to provide resilient engagement.

8. An air diffuser, comprising a round body having a central member comprising a disk-like wall member having a substantially central opening formed therein and an annular rib enclosing said opening, and an outwardly flaring wall extending forwardly of and enclosing said disk-like member and having an upper round edge; a plurality of elongated rib-shaped gussets engaging said upper edge and extending outwardly radially in planes extending through said central axis, anouter member enclosing said central member and having an upper round edge located rearwardly of the first-mentioned upper round edge, a concave wall portion extending inwardly from the second-mentioned upper round edge, a convex wall portion extending outwardly from the second-mentioned upper round edge, a substantially flat annular portion connected with said concave wall portion and said gussets and having two concentrical annular grooves, the bottoms of said grooves extending substantially in the same plane as said bottom portion, said substantially flat annular portion further having spaced concentrically disposed round screw holes formed therein, and a separate round rib enclosing each screw hole, and an annularly ribbed portion connected with said convex wall portion and having edges extending substantially in the same plane as said bottom portion and an intermediate member located between said central member and said outer member and comprising an outwardly flaring annular surface having an inner edge carrying said gussets and an outer edge located rearwardly of the first-mentioned upper round edge and forwardly of the second-mentioned upper round edge, and other gussets connected with the last-mentioned outer edge and the flat annular portion of said outer member, whereby air passages between said central, intermediate and outer members are defined by said gussets and the annular portions connected therewith.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,380,553 Serre July 31, 1945 2,499,856 Gilbert Mar. 7, 1950 2,722,880 Argentieri Nov. 8, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 537,461 Canada Feb. 2, 1957 

